Q. My computer froze up. What can I do?

When a computer freezes or hangs, most solutions risk losing work you had been doing. If the work is really critical, please seek help from the Technology Help Desk on O'Neill Level 3 or by calling 617-552-HELP (4357). Alerting Help staff serves two purposes: one, there is a chance they can help you recover lost work, and two, reporting problems helps ITS Help see patterns and resolve problems faster. If you don't have time to call 2-HELP, at least alert someone at a service desk about the problem and location.

(Reminder: Save work frequently!)

Closing the problem application often resolves a freeze or hang issue:

PC

1. Hold down Control + Alt + Delete.

2. Select "Start Task Manager."

3. Under the Applications tab, single-click the application that you were using when the computer froze.

4. Click "End Task."

If Control+Alt+Delete does not bring up the screen with the task manager option, you will need to restart the computer.

Try selecting "Restart" from the Start Menu. 

If that doesn't work, hold down the power button until the screen goes black, wait a few seconds, then push the power button to restart.

NOTE: When you restart, you will most likely lose unsaved work. This is why you should save work frequently.

Mac

1. Hold down Command + Option + Esc

2. In the window that opens, single-click the application you were using when the computer froze.

3. Click "Force Quit."

If Command+Option+Esc does not bring up the Force Quit window, you will need to restart the computer.

To restart, try selecting restart from the Apple Menu. If that doesn't work, you will need to turn off the computer and turn it back on. Hold down the power button (back left corner) until the screen goes black. Wait a few seconds and push it again to power back on.

NOTE: When you restart, you will most likely lose unsaved work. This is why you should save work frequently.